Oral Sedation

What is sedation?

Sedation is a technique to guide a child’s behavior during dental treatment. Medications are used to help increase cooperation and to reduce anxiety or discomfort associated with dental procedures. Sedative Medications cause most children to become relaxed and drowsy. Unlike general anesthesia, sedation is not intended to make a patient unconscious or unresponsive.

Who should be sedated for dental treatment?

Sedation may be indicated for children who have a level of anxiety that prevents good coping skills, those who are very young and do not understand how to cope in a cooperative fashion, or those requiring extensive dental treatment. Sedation can also be helpful for some patients who have special needs.

What medications are used?

Various medications can be used to sedate a child. Medicines will be selected based upon your child’s overall health level of anxiety and dental treatment recommendations.

Is sedation safe?

Sedation can be used safely on effectively when administered by a pediatric dentist who follows the sedation guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. We will discuss sedation options and patient administering for the safety and comfort of your child.